or in the preparation of food. In fact, until quite recently the knife was the primary cutlery piece used in eating throughout Europe.

Everyone carried one to eat their food with. This progressed to using two knives, one knife to hold the food the other to cut it. After years of experimentation somebody decided to split the knife blade. This forked blade, a

Knives provide some of the greatest benefits to mankind, yet in the wrong hands the greatest of curses. We cannot ignore them; because every society has them. They exist in their billions as everyday items. They are the most trusted of tools we know; yet they can be the source of formidable threat. Their use in combat is as prolific as their use in the medical world. Whatever situations we find ourselves, combat, ceremony, cure, cuisine or survival, the knife has played a key role throughout our history. We owe a lot to knives.

Knives have taken on mystical properties for many cultures. Sikhs are required to carry the Kirpan (a religious weapon) as a symbol of their faith. The North American Indians used them for blood brother ceremonies, however, many cultures, Asian, Chinese, ancient Greeks, European countries, such as Bulgaria, Albania; even the Chinese have used this ceremony of joining men in covenants of loyalty. The respective parties 'bloods' made to flow by the use of knives. Wherever you go you'll encounter knives.

Knives, are multi-functional. Their use in the preparation and eating of food is the perhaps the most obvious we can relate to on a day-to-day basis. From the carving of meat, right down to opening oysters, the vast majority of food preparation will involve a knife.

Virtually every country uses knives and forks for eating. In those places where other techniques are used: they are a primary tool for in the preparation of food. In fact, until quite recently the knife was the primary cutlery piece used in eating throughout Europe.

Everyone carried one to eat their food with. This progressed to using two knives, one knife to hold the food the other to cut it. After years of experimentation somebody decided to split the knife blade. This forked blade, a

dical world. Whatever situations we find ourselves, combat, ceremony, cure, cuisine or survival, the knife has played a key role throughout our history. We owe a lot to knives.

Knives have taken on mystical properties for many cultures. Sikhs are required to carry the Kirpan (a religious weapon) as a symbol of their faith. The North American Indians used them for blood brother ceremonies, however, many cultures, Asian, Chinese, ancient Greeks, European countries, such as Bulgaria, Albania; even the Chinese have used this ceremony of joining men in covenants of loyalty. The respective parties 'bloods' made to flow by the use of knives. Wherever you go you'll encounter knives.

Knives, are multi-functional. Their use in the preparation and eating of food is the perhaps the most obvious we can relate to on a day-to-day basis. From the carving of meat, right down to opening oysters, the vast majority of food preparation will involve a knife.

Virtually every country uses knives and forks for eating. In those places where other techniques are used: they are a primary tool for in the preparation of food. In fact, until quite recently the knife was the primary cutlery piece used in eating throughout Europe.

Everyone carried one to eat their food with. This progressed to using two knives, one knife to hold the food the other to cut it. After years of experimentation somebody decided to split the knife blade. This forked blade, a

m for blood brother ceremonies, however, many cultures, Asian, Chinese, ancient Greeks, European countries, such as Bulgaria, Albania; even the Chinese have used this ceremony of joining men in covenants of loyalty. The respective parties 'bloods' made to flow by the use of knives. Wherever you go you'll encounter knives.

Knives, are multi-functional. Their use in the preparation and eating of food is the perhaps the most obvious we can relate to on a day-to-day basis. From the carving of meat, right down to opening oysters, the vast majority of food preparation will involve a knife.

Virtually every country uses knives and forks for eating. In those places where other techniques are used: they are a primary tool for in the preparation of food. In fact, until quite recently the knife was the primary cutlery piece used in eating throughout Europe.

Everyone carried one to eat their food with. This progressed to using two knives, one knife to hold the food the other to cut it. After years of experimentation somebody decided to split the knife blade. This forked blade, a

use in the preparation and eating of food is the perhaps the most obvious we can relate to on a day-to-day basis. From the carving of meat, right down to opening oysters, the vast majority of food preparation will involve a knife.

Virtually every country uses knives and forks for eating. In those places where other techniques are used: they are a primary tool for in the preparation of food. In fact, until quite recently the knife was the primary cutlery piece used in eating throughout Europe.

Everyone carried one to eat their food with. This progressed to using two knives, one knife to hold the food the other to cut it. After years of experimentation somebody decided to split the knife blade. This forked blade, a

or in the preparation of food. In fact, until quite recently the knife was the primary cutlery piece used in eating throughout Europe.

Everyone carried one to eat their food with. This progressed to using two knives, one knife to hold the food the other to cut it. After years of experimentation somebody decided to split the knife blade. This forked blade, a lot like a carving fork today, had only two prongs. So bear in mind next time you pick your fork to eat, it started life as a knife. Forks came into existence, long after the discovery of knives.

Knives and knife shapes, are as varied as the cultures and individuals who use them. Everyone has an opinion of what makes the ideal knife. What the right balance, weight and material should be. There are as many different materials and ways of sharpening knives as there are knives themselves.

No knife, however good, is perfect for all situations. The selection of a good knife is a matter of intense personal likes and dislikes. So whatever your need or interest, survival knives, combat knives, kitchen knives, ceremonial knives or collectable knives. One thing is certain, the humble knife and its amazing versatility has forged who, and what we are... as much as we have forged them. We would not live as we do today, for good or bad, if it were not for knives.